Friday:
Movers came to rental, moved heavy furniture.
Carpet installer came to house, installed carpet.
Timing of Movers and Carpet-man overlapped.
All heavy furniture currently piled up in living room of house.
Saturday:
Lots of packing at rental. With so much time and effort put into the new place, we pretty much didn't pack anything before the move. Oops.
Began trips between rental and new house with full car loads.
Sunday:
More trips. More moving.
Monday:
All day deep cleaning at rental.
Behind schedule a bit more than anticipated.
Final trip from rental to new house: lawn mower.
New "For Rent" sign in window at rental.
Tuesday:
Mr. P realizes he's lost his wallet.
Ignore previously planned day off to work at new house.
Run to DMV, bank, SSA office.
New house in afternoon to stage bedroom furniture.
Remaining furniture still in living room.
I find lost wallet at 9:30 pm.
Lots of sweat. A bit of blood. Resisting tears. Happy to know I don't have to do this again for a long time.
Staying with my folks for now. Hopeful we don't get in the way.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Moving right along...
Last night, Mr. P and I became grown-ups. We made our very first applicance purchases together, and visited our third home to do so. Found some pretty good deals (guess it doesn't hurt that we're approaching Labor Day Weekend, a.k.a. Super-Retail-Sales-because-it's-a-long-weekend) and feel good about our decisions :)
Our new fridge (Whirlpool):
Our new fridge (Whirlpool):
Our new range (gas - woohoo! also Whirlpool):
We also made our carpet purchase at Lowe's. The bedrooms and hallway will be carpeted, the bathroom, kitchen and dining rooms will be tiled, and the hardwood in the living room will remain. (The ONLY room with hardwood...and not crappy asbestos tile or linoleum.) Obviously this doesn't say much, but here's a swatch of our carpet, made by Shaw, color is "Pale Clay":
Guess we're sticking with the earthy names, huh? ;)
Electrical at the house has been completed by the electrician (for the big stuff) and me (for the easier stuff). I feel pretty damn proud of my amateur electical skills, and yes, I'll admit, a bit sexy :)
The glass block window has been installed in the bathroom (no more janky old wood window!) and looks fabulous.
Mr. P and I have plumbing quotes lined up, and are hopeful that will be completed within the next week. Once that's done, we should be pretty close to actually living in the house.
Tomorrow (Friday 9/4) is our BIG moving day - Part 1. We're working with Simple Moves again, who did our last move from the apartment into the rental house. Very pleased with both their level of service and (most importantly, perhaps) their price. Once our big stuff (furniture and such) is moved in, we'll be staying with my folks until we have the official occupancy permit and go-ahead from the Webster Groves inspector.
Best part of all - Mr. P and I received a housewarming gift from my boss and her husband (who are also old family friends). For those of you interested in eco-friendly living, this was awesome because it's a super-practical gift and extremely fun at the same time. We received the Starter Kit from Better Life:
Super cool, and definitely the highlight of this post :) The Starter Kit includes the following Better Life products:
~ what-EVER Clary Sage & Citrus all-purpose cleaner (32 oz)
~ I Can See Clearly, WOW! glass cleaner (32 oz)
~ Simply Floored! ready-to-use floor cleaner (32 oz)
~ Even the Kitchen Sink gentle scrubber (16 oz)
~ Collapsible six-compartment cleaning caddy
And the following TWIST products:
~ Euro Sponge
~ Loofah Sponge (2 – pack)
"A sponge is a sponge, right? Not quite. Look around and you’ll find that durable, biodegradable, and (dare we say it) stylish sponges are few and far between. Use your Twist Sponges for everything from spills to regular kitchen cleanup, and help us realize our vision of a clean world."
Not to mention, Better Life is a St. Louis-based company. I love all things local. I'm learning to love many things green. Could this possibly be any more exciting? I think not :)
So, as the title mentions, Mr. P and I truly are "moving right along" in the process. We've got a long road ahead, but it's looking a little less bumpy than it did a month ago. I'm not sure I could be in a happier mood right now (as long as I don't think about the actual stress of moving itself...).
Life is good.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
some good news :)
We've had more work to do than we realized, which is delaying our move, and in turn stressing me out!
We just got back in touch with the Webster Groves inspector, and the following can all be considered positive :)
1. Good: The downstairs half bath does NOT have to be functional. We can cap it off for now, and redo it at a later date.
2. Better: Most of the electrical is being done today. We were told we needed to ground all of the outlets in specific rooms, which was going to require drilling through concrete (all the external, load bearing walls), and was going to cost an arm and a leg. Mr. P found an alternative solution and the inspector OK'ed it.
3. BEST: We can move all our things in ASAP, as long as we're not "living" there until we have the occupancy permit. Obtaining the permit may take less time than expected, as we've really busted our butts lately...BUT, in the event it takes a while, my folks have (generously) offered to let us use one of their spare bedrooms until the permit is issued. SOOO, we won't have to pay both rent AND mortgage come September.
Other: Did I mention that Pop, one of my resident rock stars (Mom P is also included in this list), was able to fix our fence and save a couple hundred dollars?
We just got back in touch with the Webster Groves inspector, and the following can all be considered positive :)
1. Good: The downstairs half bath does NOT have to be functional. We can cap it off for now, and redo it at a later date.
2. Better: Most of the electrical is being done today. We were told we needed to ground all of the outlets in specific rooms, which was going to require drilling through concrete (all the external, load bearing walls), and was going to cost an arm and a leg. Mr. P found an alternative solution and the inspector OK'ed it.
3. BEST: We can move all our things in ASAP, as long as we're not "living" there until we have the occupancy permit. Obtaining the permit may take less time than expected, as we've really busted our butts lately...BUT, in the event it takes a while, my folks have (generously) offered to let us use one of their spare bedrooms until the permit is issued. SOOO, we won't have to pay both rent AND mortgage come September.
Other: Did I mention that Pop, one of my resident rock stars (Mom P is also included in this list), was able to fix our fence and save a couple hundred dollars?
Monday, August 24, 2009
Teaser
It never hurts to look at everything together just to see what a mess I'm creating :) But really, our color scheme seems to be working out quite well.
Before you gasp and call me crazy, keep in mind that the house is fairly small, and we're working to lighten the space a bit to make it feel larger and more cohesive.
COLOR SCHEME:
All paint is Valspar, from their Earth Elements collection.
1. Winter Sky (being used above the chair rail in the dining area, will be used in some of the kitchen)
2. Blowin' in the Wind (being used below the chair rail in the dining area, will be used in some of the kitchen)
3. Oasis (this is our living room color, which was completed this weekend and turned out fantastic! Especially with the fresh white ceiling and trim, along with the wood floor)
4. Shadow ("master" bedroom color...master being more of a descriptor than an actuality - love it, which I may have already mentioned)
5. Swoosh (second bedroom/guest room - I have big plans in here, but not sure yet how they'll pan out)
6. Whirlwind (hallway, third bedroom, and probably bathroom - these all need to be painted something fierce, but I'm sticking with something very simple and easy to work with until we have a better idea of what we want)
Our true goal is to create a living space that is both attractive and calming, which is much-needed after the past few months. I'm looking forward to living in a cozier, friendlier environment. One of my fears was this was all going to appear "tan, tan, and tanner" in the house, but each color has a distinct shade, and we've broken it up with some fun in the living room. So far, so good...my favorite aspect so far with the paint colors is that they all change depending on the amount of light in the room.
Today, the new furnace and A/C are being installed. Wednesday, electrical. Plumbing to be announced soon :)
Before you gasp and call me crazy, keep in mind that the house is fairly small, and we're working to lighten the space a bit to make it feel larger and more cohesive.
COLOR SCHEME:
All paint is Valspar, from their Earth Elements collection.
1. Winter Sky (being used above the chair rail in the dining area, will be used in some of the kitchen)
2. Blowin' in the Wind (being used below the chair rail in the dining area, will be used in some of the kitchen)
3. Oasis (this is our living room color, which was completed this weekend and turned out fantastic! Especially with the fresh white ceiling and trim, along with the wood floor)
4. Shadow ("master" bedroom color...master being more of a descriptor than an actuality - love it, which I may have already mentioned)
5. Swoosh (second bedroom/guest room - I have big plans in here, but not sure yet how they'll pan out)
6. Whirlwind (hallway, third bedroom, and probably bathroom - these all need to be painted something fierce, but I'm sticking with something very simple and easy to work with until we have a better idea of what we want)
Our true goal is to create a living space that is both attractive and calming, which is much-needed after the past few months. I'm looking forward to living in a cozier, friendlier environment. One of my fears was this was all going to appear "tan, tan, and tanner" in the house, but each color has a distinct shade, and we've broken it up with some fun in the living room. So far, so good...my favorite aspect so far with the paint colors is that they all change depending on the amount of light in the room.
Today, the new furnace and A/C are being installed. Wednesday, electrical. Plumbing to be announced soon :)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
House-related Rambling...
Our neighbors have 11 chickens (used to be 12, but a possum ate one), raise bees, have 4 cats, 2 dogs (Rhodesian Ridgebacks - I love them!), and one adorable adopted daughter. Not to mention the heirloom and organic gardens that take over a large part of their yard. Amazing.
I have to wonder whether every home-buyer, at some point or another, wonders whether they bought a lemon. Not seriously, of course, but right now things are definitely frustrating. We're still trying to get a lot of stuff done before we can get our occupancy permit and actually LIVE there.
New HVAC system being installed on Monday morning. Met with electrician #1 yesterday afternoon, #2 is coming this morning. We'll have to weigh the differences. Still need to find a plumber, but now a much more pressing issue...our kitchen sink pipes fell apart on us last night. The sink was stopped up, pipes weren't sealed correctly, water EVERYWHERE. Finding the humor in it all.
Last night Mr. P and I decided that a good motto for us would be "Are you F***ing kidding me???" just because of the situations we've been in over the past 7+ years. We always make it work, but also know the next obstacle is just around the corner.
Mr. P's been busy during the day at the house, and I've been there every evening since we closed (minus Friday nights) working on things here and there. Painting trim is a bitch, but it really does look a lot better than the 50s style boring wood underneath...and it brightens the space quite a bit.
I'm hoping Mr. P can get the living room ceiling done today, so I can get started on the walls. Painting walls excites me, painting trim annoys me, and my one attempt at a ceiling was an epic FAIL, though highly amusing. I looked as if I had pigeon poop all over, including chunks in my hair. BRING ON THE WALLS :)
Overall, as each room starts coming together, the place truly does feel like ours, and I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's like when you do a deep-clean, and things always look worse somewhere in the middle of the process.
Need to find good, inexpensive carpet for the hall and bedrooms. Gotta cover the nasty asbestos tile. Recommendations?
My hope is that people will find the humor in all of this along with me, laugh with (or at) us, and know that this is nothing if not a labor of love. Would I do this again? Probably not...but ask me down the road years from now when we're buying our next home after we've turned this one into something worth writing about :)
I have to wonder whether every home-buyer, at some point or another, wonders whether they bought a lemon. Not seriously, of course, but right now things are definitely frustrating. We're still trying to get a lot of stuff done before we can get our occupancy permit and actually LIVE there.
New HVAC system being installed on Monday morning. Met with electrician #1 yesterday afternoon, #2 is coming this morning. We'll have to weigh the differences. Still need to find a plumber, but now a much more pressing issue...our kitchen sink pipes fell apart on us last night. The sink was stopped up, pipes weren't sealed correctly, water EVERYWHERE. Finding the humor in it all.
Last night Mr. P and I decided that a good motto for us would be "Are you F***ing kidding me???" just because of the situations we've been in over the past 7+ years. We always make it work, but also know the next obstacle is just around the corner.
Mr. P's been busy during the day at the house, and I've been there every evening since we closed (minus Friday nights) working on things here and there. Painting trim is a bitch, but it really does look a lot better than the 50s style boring wood underneath...and it brightens the space quite a bit.
I'm hoping Mr. P can get the living room ceiling done today, so I can get started on the walls. Painting walls excites me, painting trim annoys me, and my one attempt at a ceiling was an epic FAIL, though highly amusing. I looked as if I had pigeon poop all over, including chunks in my hair. BRING ON THE WALLS :)
Overall, as each room starts coming together, the place truly does feel like ours, and I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. It's like when you do a deep-clean, and things always look worse somewhere in the middle of the process.
Need to find good, inexpensive carpet for the hall and bedrooms. Gotta cover the nasty asbestos tile. Recommendations?
My hope is that people will find the humor in all of this along with me, laugh with (or at) us, and know that this is nothing if not a labor of love. Would I do this again? Probably not...but ask me down the road years from now when we're buying our next home after we've turned this one into something worth writing about :)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
County =/= Country
I've been spending a few hours each evening after work doing a few things here and there at the new house. This evening, Pop was helping out with a new deadbolt on the front door, Mom P was there to help with some trim.
All of a sudden, Pop starts speaking. (I was in another room up on a step stool so I have no idea what's going on.) He's kinda chuckling, and I was confused. After coming down from my up-high painting perch, I talked to Pop to figure out what was up.
Apparently, some of our new neighbors have chickens. Yep, CHICKENS. In WEBSTER GROVES.
Neighbor-man casually asks if we've seen his chicken. Mentions that sometimes one will get out, and if we see it, to just holler. Um...OK?
I should add that, growing up, my neighbor had both chickens and a couple of roosters. She also raises bees and sells the honey. This was also in the county.
I never thought I'd be living so close to domestic fowl ever again...and it's somewhat comforting.
All of a sudden, Pop starts speaking. (I was in another room up on a step stool so I have no idea what's going on.) He's kinda chuckling, and I was confused. After coming down from my up-high painting perch, I talked to Pop to figure out what was up.
Apparently, some of our new neighbors have chickens. Yep, CHICKENS. In WEBSTER GROVES.
Neighbor-man casually asks if we've seen his chicken. Mentions that sometimes one will get out, and if we see it, to just holler. Um...OK?
I should add that, growing up, my neighbor had both chickens and a couple of roosters. She also raises bees and sells the honey. This was also in the county.
I never thought I'd be living so close to domestic fowl ever again...and it's somewhat comforting.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Post-weekend house update
Lots of good, some bad, but all in all, still exciting.
I left my camera at the house, so unfortunately, no photos today. The GOOD:
Master (I use that term loosely) bedroom: painted. Valspar "Shadow" which, depending on the light, appears a grey/blue/green color. FABULOUS. Also, trim has been primed.
Dining room/area: painted. Valspar "Winter Sky" above the chair rail, and "Blowin' in the Wind" (I think!) below. Trim primed, two coats Ultra-White semi-gloss, and tape will be taken off this evening. It'll be nice to have this room (pretty much) done - at least everything but new flooring.
Living room: was painted a light grey by sellers. I'll keep it for now, until I have enough time to give thought to it. Trim has been mostly primed, and I'll finish priming this evening.
Bathroom: tile floor complete. We went with a clearance tile from Lowe's called Keyera
which has a bit of brown, a bit of grey, very neutral and should work with whatever we end up deciding to do color-wise. Chris has done a phenomenal job on the floor and tile baseboard. Today, the toilet and sink should be installed.
OH! And on the sink note, we returned the vanity and went with a pedestal sink. There's a goofy vent that was hidden in the original vanity, and for better air flow we decided to go with the pedestal so as not to have to install new duct work to move the existing vent.
The BAD: we already have a neighbor issue. Due to the grading of our lot, water from their property flows directly onto ours. It's not that big of a problem yet, except they have multiple gardens in their yard...which they watered continuously ALL WEEKEND (literally, at least 10 hours on Saturday and at least 8 on Sunday), and all the runoff came directly to us. We've got a bit of standing water, and a small spot in the basement that needs to be fixed ASAP. All this after we had a french drain and window wells installed on the west side of the house, only to have their crap affect the south (front) of our property. FARK.
I think that just about covers this weekend. Keep an eye out for more updates, and pictures if I can remember to bring my camera home!
I left my camera at the house, so unfortunately, no photos today. The GOOD:
Master (I use that term loosely) bedroom: painted. Valspar "Shadow" which, depending on the light, appears a grey/blue/green color. FABULOUS. Also, trim has been primed.
Dining room/area: painted. Valspar "Winter Sky" above the chair rail, and "Blowin' in the Wind" (I think!) below. Trim primed, two coats Ultra-White semi-gloss, and tape will be taken off this evening. It'll be nice to have this room (pretty much) done - at least everything but new flooring.
Living room: was painted a light grey by sellers. I'll keep it for now, until I have enough time to give thought to it. Trim has been mostly primed, and I'll finish priming this evening.
Bathroom: tile floor complete. We went with a clearance tile from Lowe's called Keyera
which has a bit of brown, a bit of grey, very neutral and should work with whatever we end up deciding to do color-wise. Chris has done a phenomenal job on the floor and tile baseboard. Today, the toilet and sink should be installed.
OH! And on the sink note, we returned the vanity and went with a pedestal sink. There's a goofy vent that was hidden in the original vanity, and for better air flow we decided to go with the pedestal so as not to have to install new duct work to move the existing vent.
The BAD: we already have a neighbor issue. Due to the grading of our lot, water from their property flows directly onto ours. It's not that big of a problem yet, except they have multiple gardens in their yard...which they watered continuously ALL WEEKEND (literally, at least 10 hours on Saturday and at least 8 on Sunday), and all the runoff came directly to us. We've got a bit of standing water, and a small spot in the basement that needs to be fixed ASAP. All this after we had a french drain and window wells installed on the west side of the house, only to have their crap affect the south (front) of our property. FARK.
I think that just about covers this weekend. Keep an eye out for more updates, and pictures if I can remember to bring my camera home!
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